Towing coupler

ABSTRACT

A towing coupler for truck or other vehicle includes a body and a hook. A first latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a first pivot axis between an open and closed position. In the open position, a draw bar or other towing element of a towed vehicle can be placed on or removed from the hook while in the closed position the first latch retains the draw bar on the hook. A second latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a second pivot axis between first and second positions. The first latch is biased to pivot toward the open position and the second latch is biased to pivot in the opposite direction from the first latch. The first and second latches have surfaces configured for coupling together to retain the first latch in the position to which it is moved.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/398,849,filed Apr. 30, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/670,189, entitled TOWING COUPLER, filed on May 11,2018, which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to towing couplers and more specifically totowing couplers for land vehicle trailers.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a towing coupler for a truck or othervehicle includes a body and a hook portion. A first latch is coupled tothe body for pivoting about a first pivot axis between a first latchopen position and a first latch closed position. In the first latch openposition, a draw bar or other towing element of a towed vehicle can beplaced on or removed from the hook portion. In the first latch closedposition, the first latch retains the draw bar on the hook portion. Asecond latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a second pivotaxis between first and second positions. The first latch is biased topivot toward the open position and the second latch is biased to pivotin the opposite direction from the first latch. The first and secondlatches have surfaces configured for coupling together to retain thefirst latch in the position to which it is moved.

In accordance with an aspect of this disclosure, a towing coupler for avehicle can comprise: a body comprising a hook portion having anupwardly facing hook opening and a latch supporting portion, such as acolumn, projecting upwardly from the hook portion; a first latch pivotedto the latch supporting portion and pivotal about a first latch pivotaxis between first latch open and first latch closed positions, thefirst latch comprising upwardly facing first and second latch engagingsurfaces, the first latch engaging surface being spaced further from thefirst latch pivot axis than the second latch engaging surface; a firstspring coupled to the body and to the first latch and biasing the firstlatch to pivot about the first latch pivot axis in a first direction andaway from the first latch closed position; a second latch pivoted to thelatch supporting portion and pivotal about a second latch pivot axis,the second latch being pivotal about the second latch pivot axis betweena second latch first position and a second latch second position,wherein in the second latch first position and with the first latch inthe first latch open position, the second latch is coupled at leastpartially to the first latch engaging surface, and wherein in the secondlatch second position and with the first latch in the first latch closedposition, the second latch is coupled at least partially to the secondlatch engaging surface; and a second spring coupled to the body and tothe second latch and biasing the second latch to pivot about the secondlatch pivot axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction,the second spring pivoting the second latch to the second latch secondposition upon pivoting of the first latch from the first latch openposition toward the first latch closed position.

As an aspect of an embodiment, the first latch engaging surface cancomprise a first latch engaging surface portion facing away from thehook portion. In addition, the second latch engaging surface cancomprise a concave second latch engaging surface portion facing awayfrom the hook portion.

As another aspect, the radius of curvature of the concave second latchengaging surface portion can be smaller than the radius of curvature ofthe concave first latch engaging surface portion.

As yet another aspect, the second latch can comprise downwardly facingthird and fourth latch engaging surfaces, wherein the third and fourthlatch engaging surfaces can be positioned to at least partially engagethe first latch engaging surface when the first latch is in the firstlatch open position and the second latch is in the second latch firstposition, and wherein the fourth latch engaging surface can bepositioned to at least partially engage the second latch engagingsurface when the first latch is in the first latch closed position andthe second latch is in the second latch second position.

As a further aspect, the first latch engaging surface can comprise firstand second first latching surface portions with a land positioned atleast partially between the first and second first latching surfaceportions. The land can be sized and positioned to engage the latchsupporting portion when the first latch is in the first latch openposition.

As another aspect, the second latch engaging surface can comprise firstand second spaced apart second latching surface portions. In addition, aportion of the latch supporting portion can be positioned between thefirst and second spaced apart latching surface portions.

As a still further aspect, each of the first and second first latchingsurface portions can comprise concave surfaces and each of the first andsecond spaced apart second latching surface portions can also compriseconcave surfaces.

As yet another aspect, the radius of curvature of each of the first andsecond spaced apart second latching surface portions can be smaller thanthe radius of curvature of each of the first and second first latchingsurface portions.

As a further aspect, the second latch can comprise third and fourthlatch engaging portions, the third latch engaging portion comprisingfirst and second spaced apart third latching surface portions and thefourth latch engaging portion comprising first and second spaced apartfourth latching surface portions. In addition, the land can bepositioned between the first and second spaced apart fourth latchingsurface portions at least when the first latch is in the first latchopen position.

As another aspect, each of the first and second first latching surfaceportions and first and second spaced apart second latching surfaceportions can be concave. Also, the first and second spaced apart thirdlatching surface portions and the first and second spaced apart fourthlatching surface portions can be convex.

As a further aspect, the second latch pivot axis can be parallel to thefirst latch pivot axis and the second latch pivot axis can be positionedhigher on the latch supporting portion or column than the first latchpivot axis

In accordance with another aspect, a towing coupler for a vehicle cancomprise: a body comprising a hook having a first leg portion, a baseportion and a second leg portion spaced from the first leg portion so asto define a tow draw bar receiving space above the base portion andbetween the first and second leg portions, the hook having an upwardlyfacing hook opening communicating with the tow draw bar receiving space,the body also comprising a latch supporting column portion projectingupwardly from the second leg portion; a first latch comprising a firstlatch proximal end portion and a first latch distal end portion, thefirst latch proximal end portion being pivoted to the column portion andpivotal about a first latch pivot axis, the first latch being pivotalbetween a first latch closed position and a first latch open position,wherein in the first latch closed position the first latch overlies thehook opening and the first latch distal end portion engages the firstleg portion of the hook and closes the hook opening, and wherein in thefirst latch open position the first latch distal end portion is pivotedaway from the first leg portion of the hook to open the hook opening toprovide access to the tow draw bar receiving space; the first latchcomprising upwardly facing first and second latch engaging surfaces, thefirst latch engaging surface being spaced nearer to the first latchdistal end portion than the second latch engaging surface, and wherein aridge is provided between the first and second latch engaging surfaceswith the first and second latch engaging surfaces having respectivesurface portions that slope downwardly from the ridge; a first springcoupled to the body and to the proximal end portion of the first latchand biasing the first latch to pivot about the first latch pivot axis ina first direction and away from the first latch closed position andtoward the first latch open position; a second latch pivoted to thecolumn portion and pivotal about a second latch pivot axis, the secondlatch being pivotal about the second latch pivot axis between a secondlatch first position and a second latch second position; the secondlatch comprising third and fourth latch engaging surfaces, wherein withthe second latch in the second latch first position and with the firstlatch in the first latch open position, both of the third and fourthlatching surfaces are positioned to at least partially abut the firstlatch engaging surface, and wherein in the second latch second positionand with the first latch in the first latch closed position, the thirdlatch engaging surface is positioned to at least partially abut thesecond latch engaging surface; and a second spring coupled to the bodyand to the second latch and biasing the second latch to pivot about thesecond latch pivot axis in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection, the second spring and pivoting the second latch to the secondlatch second position upon pivoting of the first latch from the firstlatch open position in a direction toward the first latch closedposition.

As yet another aspect, at least a portion of the first latch engagingsurface comprises a concave first latch engaging surface facing awayfrom the hook, the concave first latch engaging surface comprising firstand second diverging upwardly sloped surface portions, the firstupwardly sloped surface portion being positioned nearer to the distalend of the first latch than the second upwardly sloped surface portion;wherein at least a portion of each of the third and fourth latchengaging surfaces comprise a convex latch engaging surface;

and wherein the third latch engaging surface is positioned to at leastpartially abut the first upwardly sloped portion and the fourth latchengaging surface is positioned to at least partially abut the secondupwardly sloped surface portion when the first latch is in the firstlatch open position and the second latch is in the second latch firstposition, and wherein the fourth latch engaging surface is positioned toengage the second latch engaging surface when the first latch is in thefirst latch closed position and the second latch is in the second latchsecond position.

As another aspect, a towing coupler for a vehicle can comprise: a bodycomprising a hook with an upwardly facing hook opening and a columnportion projecting upwardly from one side of the hook; first latch meanspivoted to the body for pivoting about a first pivot axis between firstlatch open and closed positions; second latch means pivoted to the bodyfor pivoting about a second pivot axis between a second latch firstposition for engaging and retaining the first latch means in an openposition and a second latch second position for engaging and retainingthe first latch means in a closed position; the first and second latchmeans comprising engagement surface means configured for engaging oneanother when the first latch means is in the first latch open positionand the second latch means is in the second latch first position andwhen the first latch means is in the first latch closed position and thesecond latch means is in the second latch second position; a firstspring biasing the first latch means for pivotal movement about thefirst pivot axis in first direction toward the open position; and asecond spring biasing the second latch means for pivotal movement aboutthe second pivot axis in a direction opposite to the first direction.

The developments disclosed herein include all possible combinations ofthe above aspects as well as of those described herein and shown in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left-side perspective view of an embodiment of a towingcoupler in a closed state. In FIG. 1 , the first or lower latch is shownin an exemplary latch closed position and the second or upper latch isshown in an exemplary second latch position.

FIG. 2 is a right-side perspective view of the closed towing coupler ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the closed towing coupler of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the closed towing coupler of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the closed towing coupler of FIG.1 .

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the closed towing coupler of FIG.5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a left-side perspective view of the towing coupler of FIG. 1shown in an open state ready, for example, to receive a drawbar eyeattached to a vehicle for coupling to the coupler. In FIG. 7 , the firstor lower latch is shown in an exemplary first latch open position andthe second or upper latch is shown in an exemplary second latch firstposition.

FIG. 8 is a right-side perspective view of the open towing coupler ofFIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the open towing coupler of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is a top view of the open towing coupler of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the open towing coupler of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the open towing coupler of FIG.11 , taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a towing coupler of FIG. 1 without thehousing shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the towing coupler of FIG. 1 in anopen position and receiving a drawbar eye and also showing the guidingof the drawbar eye onto a hook portion of the towing coupler by a lowersurface of a lower latch of the towing coupler.

FIG. 15 shows the drawbar eye in a position received by the open towingcoupler.

FIG. 16 shows the drawbar eye in an upper position as allowed by thetowing coupler.

FIG. 17 shows the drawbar eye in a lower position as allowed by thetowing coupler.

FIGS. 18 A and 18 B show respective perspective views of one form oflower latch for the towing coupler embodiment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of one form of an upper latch for thetowing coupler embodiment of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this disclosure, when a reference is made to a first elementbeing coupled to a second element, the term “coupled” is to be construedto mean both direct connection of the elements as well as indirectconnection of the elements by way of one or more additional interveningelements. Also, the singular terms “a”, “and”, and “first”, mean boththe singular and the plural unless the term is qualified to expresslyindicate that it only refers to a singular element, such as by using thephrase “only one”. Thus, for example, if two of a particular element arepresent, there is also “a” or “an” of such element that is present. Inaddition, the term “and/or” when used in this document is to beconstrued to include the conjunctive “and”, the disjunctive “or”, andboth “and” and “or”. Also, the terms “includes” and “has” have the samemeaning as “comprises” and the terms “including” and “having” have thesame meaning as “comprising”. The terms “upper” and “lower” are used forconvenience in describing a towing coupler in the orientation of FIG. 1, it being understood that, for example, the upper latch in FIG. 1 willstill be an upper latch even if the orientation of the towing coupler ischanged to place the upper latch in a lower or lowest position from theposition shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary form of towing coupler or coupler 10 inaccordance with this disclosure. Throughout this disclosure, the samenumbers are used for common elements in the illustrated views of thecoupler.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6 , the coupler 10 comprises a body 12. The body 12includes a hook portion 14 at a front portion of the body. Theillustrated hook portion 14 comprises a hook which is open at the top 16and that defines a drawbar eye receiving opening 18 therein.Specifically, the hook portion 14 includes an upwardly projecting frontleg portion 20, a base portion 22 and a rear leg portion 24. Theportions 20, 22 and 24 can be an inverted C-shaped configuration withthe opening 18 positioned above section 22 and between the sections 20and 24. A draw bar eye receiving space is provided between the legportions and the base portion. The body also comprises a rearwardlyextending housing 30 that surrounds a section of a shank portion 26(FIG. 6 ) of the body 12. The housing 30 comprises a mounting structureor member for mounting the housing 30 and thereby the coupler to theframework of a land vehicle, such as a trailer. In FIG. 1 , the mountingstructure comprises a flange 32 with respective fastener receivingopenings, one of which is indicated at 34, for receiving fasteners, suchas bolts, that couple the mounting flange and thereby the coupler 10 tothe trailer frame. The body 12 also comprises an upwardly extendinglatch supporting portion such as a column portion or column 40projecting upwardly from the leg section 24.

Leg section 20 has an upper surface 21 that can have surface featuresformed therein, but more desirably is a flat or planar surface.

The illustrated coupler also comprises a lower latch portion 50, whichcomprises an exemplary form of a first latch, that is pivoted by a pivotpin 52 to a lower section of the column 40, such as above the legsection 24 of the hook portion 14. The pivot pin 52 defines a pivot axisthat is desirably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shankportion 26 of the body 12. Desirably the lower latch 50 is biased towardan open position, such as by one or more springs with torsion springsbeing a specific example. The lower latch is biased in a counterclockwise direction toward an open position in FIG. 1 ; as indicated byarrow 54 in FIG. 1 . When viewed from the right side as in FIG. 2 , thebiasing force toward an open position is in a clockwise direction asindicated by arrow 55. The latch 50 comprises a proximal end portionadjacent to the column 40 and a distal end portion projecting away fromthe proximal end portion. The lower latch 50 can comprise spaced apartshoulder portions 60, 62 at the proximal end portion of the latch 50.The shoulder portions 60, 62 are respectively positioned in this exampleon opposite sides of the column 40. The pin 52 extends through shoulderportion 62, the column 40 and the shoulder portion 60; and is retainedin place, such as by a snap ring 64, not shown in FIG. 1 , but shown inFIG. 13 .

As can be seen in FIG. 1 , when the coupler is closed, the latch 50comprises an upwardly facing first latch engagement surface 70 and anupwardly facing second latch engagement surface 72. The surfaces 70, 72are desirably at least partially or entirely concave and otherengagement surfaces of the upper and lower latches are desirably atleast partially or entirely concave. A ridge or peak 74 is positionedbetween the surfaces 70 and 72. The surfaces 70, 72 diverge movingdownwardly away from the peak in the form shown. Similar surfaces at theopposite side of the latch 50 can be considered to be part of the firstlatch engagement surface or considered as separate first latchengagement surfaces. The surfaces 70, 76, 78, and 80 (and thecorresponding surfaces at the opposite side of the latch comprise a formof latching surfaces. The surface 72 has an upwardly sloped firstsurface portion 76, a base surface portion 78 (further from pin 52 than,or more distally than, the surface 76) and an upwardly facing distallypositioned sloped surface 80. The radius of curvature of surface 70 isdesirably smaller than the radius of curvature of surface 72 in thisembodiment. In effect, the surface comprising surface portions 76, 78and 80 can be sinusoidal in shape. In the same manner, as can be seen inFIG. 2 , the first latch 50 can comprise an upwardly facing firstconcave engagement surface 90 and a second upwardly facing concaveengagement surface 92. A ridge or peak 94 is positioned between thesurfaces 90 and 92. The surface 92 has an upwardly sloped first surfaceportion 96, a base surface portion 98 (further from pin 52 than thesurface 96) and an upwardly facing sloped surface 100. The radius ofcurvature of surface 92 is desirably greater than the radius ofcurvature of surface 90 in this embodiment. In effect, in thisembodiment the surface comprising surface portions 96, 98 and 100 can besinusoidal in shape.

A land 110 is desirably positioned between the sloping surfaces 72 and92 of the respective legs 62, 60. The land extends upwardly above thesurfaces 76, 96 and 78, 98. The land comprises a first upwardly facingland concave surface 112 and a second upwardly facing land concavesurface 114. As can be seen in FIG. 2 , the land 110 starts at alocation below the respective peaks 74, 94 and extends downwardly to aridge 120 between the concave land surfaces 112, 114. The radius ofcurvature of surface 112 is smaller than the radius of curvature ofsurface 114 in this example. In addition, the radius of curvature ofsurface 114 is greater than the radius of curvature of the surfaces 78and 98. Surface 114 comprises an upwardly sloping surface 116, a basesurface 118 and a forward surface 120. In this example, the forwardsurface 120 is of the same slope as surfaces 80, 100 to provide a smoothsurface across the distal end of the upper portion of the lower latch50. The illustrated land 110 also comprises a rear upwardly slopingsurface 113 that desirably abuts the front surface 117 (shown in FIG. 6) of the column 40 when the latch 10 is in an open position as explainedbelow in connection with FIG. 12 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the distal end 130 of the lower latch 50 cancomprise a recess 132 for use in gripping by a user to pull and pivotthe lower latch 50 in a direction counter to the directions 54, 55 inwhich the lower latch 50 is biased. This will be explained more fullybelow.

The illustrated coupler also comprises an upper or second latch 150. Theupper latch 150 is coupled by a pin 152 to the column 40 such that latch150 is rotatable or pivotal relative to the column. The pivot axisdefined by upper latch pin 152 is desirably perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the shank 26 (FIG. 6 ) and parallel to the pivotaxis defined by lower latch pin 52. The pivot axis defined by pin 152 ispositioned above and forwardly of the pivot axis defined by the pin 52.The upper latch 150 is desirably biased about pin 152 in the oppositedirection of biasing the lower latch 50 about pin 52. The biasing ofupper latch 150 can be accomplished, for example, by one or moresprings, such as by torsion springs as explained below. When viewed fromthe left as in FIG. 1 , the upper latch 150 is biased in a clockwisedirection as indicated by arrow 154. When viewed from the right as inFIG. 2 , the upper latch 150 is biased in a counter clockwise directionas indicated by arrow 156.

In FIG. 1 , the lower or first latch 50 is shown in a closed positionwith the distal end of the lower latch engaging the leg 20 of the hookand closing off access to the draw bar receiving space. Less desirably,in the closed position, the distal end of the latch can be spaced fromthe leg 20 by a gap that is small enough to prevent removal of a drawbar from the draw bar receiving space when the lower latch is closed. Inaddition, in FIG. 1 , the second or upper latch 150 is shown in a secondposition. In FIG. 7 , the second latch is shown in a first position andthe lower latch is shown in an open position.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 , the upper latch 150 can comprise first andsecond spaced apart legs 160, 162 projecting rearwardly from a frontportion 164 of the body 168 that comprises the upper latch 150. Achannel 166 can be provided between the legs 160, 162 and an upper frontportion of the column 40 can be positioned between the legs 160, 162 andbetween latching surfaces at the outer surfaces of the legs that facerespective latching surfaces of the lower latch. The latching surfacesof the upper and lower latches are configured to at least partiallyengage one another to retain the lower latch in the position to which itis moved. The latch 150 comprises an upwardly extending latch engagementportion 170 that projects above the axis of pin 152 and that has aforward portion extending forwardly of a vertical plane through the axisof pin 152 when the upper latch is in the closed position shown in FIG.2 . The upper latch leg 160 comprises a first convex lower latchengaging surface 180 (lower when in the position shown in FIG. 2 ). Thefirst lower latch engaging surface 180 is spaced from the latchactuating portion 170. The first latch engaging surface 180 ispositioned at opposite sides of a horizontal plane extending through theaxis of the pin 152 when the upper latch is in the position shown inFIG. 2 . The leg 160 also comprises a second concave lower latchengagement surface 182. The second lower latch engagement surface 182 ispositioned rearwardly of a vertical plane through the axis of pin 152when the upper latch is in the position shown in FIG. 2 . In addition,an arcuate transition surface 184 extends between the surfaces 180 and182. The leg 162 shown in FIG. 1 has a similar first convex lower latchengagement surface 190 and a second rearwardly positioned concave lowerlatch engagement surface 192 with an arcuate transition surface 194positioned between the surfaces 190 and 192.

When the latch is in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , thefirst lower latch engaging surface 190 abuts the lower latch surface 70and the first lower latch engaging surface 180 abuts the lower latchsurface 90. In addition, springs bias the upper latch 150 in thedirections of arrows 154, 156 and urges these surfaces 190, 70 and 180,90 together. In addition, the peaks 74, 94 of the respective shoulder62, 60 retain the upper latch in this engaged position. For addedsafety, a safety pin 200 is inserted through the legs 162, the column 40and the leg 160 to further retain the upper latch 150 against the lowerlatch 50 when the latch is in the closed position. The pin 200 can becoupled to the column 40 by a cable 202.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the surfaces 72, 92 comprise a form offirst latch engagement surface. In addition, the surfaces 70, 90comprise a form of second latch engagement surface. Also, the surfaces180, 190 comprise a form of a third latch engagement surface and thesurfaces 182, 192 comprise a form of a fourth latch engagement surface.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the upper latch has a base portion 191 with thefirst lower latch engaging surfaces 180,190 at the lower end of the baseportion 191 in FIG. 6 . The first lower latch engaging surfacesdesirably span from side to side of the upper latch 150. The baseportion 191 can also comprise an upper concave surface 193 opposed tothe surfaces 180, 190. In addition, the column 40 can comprise aforwardly projecting nose portion 195 positioned above the surface 193.The nose portion can have a convex outer surface 197 configured to matchthe concavity of the surface 193 such that as the upper latch pivotsabout the axis of pin 152, the surfaces 193, 197 remain proximate to oneanother. In the closed positon shown in FIG. 6 , the service loadapplied by a draw bar eye is generally in the direction of arrow 199. Ifthe pin 152 were to fail, the upper latch is captured between thesurfaces 190, 70, 193 and 197 (in FIG. 6 and surfaces 180, 90, 193 and197) at the opposite site of the latch to retain the upper and lowerlatches 150, 50 in the closed position. That is, if the upper latch pin152 were to fail from the applied force 199, the concave geometry of theupper latch 150 (surface 193) will contact the convex geometry of thesurface 197 of the nose portion 195 of the coupling body 40 and preventthe latch from opening. The lower latch 50 contacts the upper latch 150in a manner that compresses the upper latch 150 against the couplingbody 40.

Desirably, the pins 52 and 152 rotate with the rotation of the latchesfor lubrication purposes. Although the pin 52 can be keyed to the lowerlatch 50 and the pin 152 can be keyed to the upper latch 150, in oneexemplary approach inter-engaging features are provided between pin 52and the lower latch and between pin 152 and the upper latch 150 thatcause the respective pins to pivot with pivoting motion of the latches.For example, the opening 204 through which pin 152 extends can beprovided with a flat surface 206 where the opening passes through leg 62of the lower latch. In addition, the pin 152 can have a flat surface 208that abuts the surface 206 with the surfaces 206, 208 preventing therelative rotation of the upper latch 150 and the pin 152. In the samemanner, the opening 205 through which pin 52 extends can be providedwith a flat surface 222 where the opening passes through leg 162 of theupper latch. In addition, the pin 52 can have a flat surface 224 thatabuts the surface 222 with the surfaces 222, 224 preventing the relativerotation of the lower latch 50 and the pin 52. The pins 52, 152 can haverespective grease ports 230, 210 communicating with respective axiallyextending passageways extending from the grease ports along a portion ofthe length of the respective pins. FIG. 6 and FIG. 12 illustrate theaxial extending passageway 234, 238 in the pins 152, 52. A radiallyextending passageway 236 can communicate from axial passageway 234 tothe surfaces between pin 152 and the column 40. A radially extendingpassageway 240 extends between the axial passageway 238 and the surfacesbetween pin 52 and the column 40. Although optional, with thisconstruction, grease introduced through the respective grease ports 210,230 is dispersed to the surfaces between the pins and column and isdispersed by the motion of the pins as the upper and lower latchesrotate to more effectively lubricate the pins and column.

With reference to FIGS. 3-6 , the description of FIGS. 1 and 2 appliesto these FIGS. and components in common between this FIGS. will not beredescribed. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate additional portions of anexemplary housing 30. The housing 30 pivotally receives a shaft portion26 of the body 14 (FIG. 6 ). A first bearing, such as a ring 250 ispositioned between the front portion of the housing 30 and the column40. A second bearing, such as a ring 252 is positioned between a rearportion of the housing and a spacer 254. As a desirable example, theserings 250, 252 can comprise polymer washers that in effect seal the endsof the housing and retain lubricant in the surfaces between the shaft 26and housing 30. In addition, the polymer rings can be of a reduced orlow friction material, such as a nylon material, to further facilitatethe pivoting movement of the body, and thereby the hook portion 14 andshaft 26, of the coupler relative to the housing 30. A nut 260 threadedonto the distal end of the shaft 26 bears against the spacer 254. Aretainer, such as a snap ring 262, prevents the nut from separating fromthe shaft 26. As a specific example, the nut 260 can be a nylon lock nutwhich allows the nut to be tightened against a spacer 254 as desired toset the resistance to pivoting movement between the housing 30 and theshaft 26. As can be seen in FIG. 4 , springs 270, 272, which cancomprise torsion coil springs, can be positioned on opposite sides ofthe column 40 to bias the upper latch 150 in the direction 156 shown inFIG. 3 .

With further reference to FIG. 3 , the opening 18 between hook sections20, 22 and 24 can be asymmetrical when viewed from the side. That is,the radius of curvature of the opening 18 is smaller at a rear portion280 than at a front portion 282. This construction allows a receiveddrawbar eye to pivot within the opening 18 upwardly, relative to ahorizontal plane when the latch coupler is vertical, a lesser extentthan the allowed downward pivoting of the received drawbar eye. Asexplained below, the drawbar eye in one specific example can pivotupwardly through an angle of 35 degrees with respect to horizontal planeand downwardly 40 degrees when the coupler 10 is in a verticalorientation. This aids in the prevention of coupler and drawbar eyebinding when articulated in vertical directions, such as can occur inextreme off-road terrain conditions, including large raised and loweredsurfaces separated by a short distance relative to the wheelbase ortrack of the vehicle (e.g., a large mound followed by a deep ditch).

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate the latch 50 in an open position with a gap 300between the lower latch 50 and the hook portion 14. Elements in theseFIGS. that have been discussed above are not discussed in detail belowexcept where helpful in understanding the operation of the coupler 10.To shift the latch between the closed position shown in FIG. 3 to theopen position shown in FIG. 7 , a user can apply a force in a directionof arrow 290 to the upper portion 170 of the upper latch 150 as shown inFIG. 3 . The force 290 acts against the bias of the springs 270, 272 androtates the upper latch 150 in a direction counter to the directions154, 156. As surfaces 70, 190 and 90, 180 clear one another, the bias onthe lower latch 50 in the direction of arrows 54, 55 pivots the lowerlatch 50 to the open position as shown in FIG. 7 .

When in the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the surfaces 190, 192 and194 of the upper latch 150 are desirably positioned respectively toengage the surfaces 80, 76 and 78 of the lower latch 50 and the surfaces182, 184 and 180 of the upper latch are positioned to respectivelyengage the surfaces 96, 98 and 100 of the lower latch. These respectivefacing upper and lower latch surfaces desirably at least partiallyengage one another and more desirably a majority of these facingsurfaces are coupled together, such as abutting one another, and mostdesirably substantially all (more than ninety percent) of these facingsurfaces are coupled together such as abutting and thereby engaging oneanother as shown in part in FIG. 12 . Also, although not shown in thesefigures, except partially in FIG. 12 , the land 110 of lower latch 50 ispositioned at least partially between the legs 162, 160 of the upperlatch 150. In addition, the surface 112 of the land 110 desirablyengages the surface 197 of the column and the surface 113 of the landdesirably engages the surface 117 at the front of the column 40. Inaddition, the surface 114 of the land desirably engages the surface 190of the upper latch 150. These respective pairs of facing surfaces, 112,197; 113, 117; and 114, 190; desirably at least partially engage oneanother and more desirably a majority of these facing surfaces arecoupled together, such as abutting one another, and most desirablysubstantially all of these facing surfaces are coupled together such asabutting and thereby engaging one another as shown in part in FIG. 12 .

It is not unusual for the coupler of a truck or trailer being backed uptoward the coupler 10 to apply a substantial force in the direction ofarrow 311 in FIG. 12 . By having the respective above described engagingsurfaces effectively backing the lower latch 50 up by the column andupper latch, forces applied in the direction of arrow 311 aredistributed over the entire coupler assembly rather than having onecomponent (e.g. the lower latch or a portion thereof) bearingsubstantially the entire load. These loading forces result incompressive loading of the majority of the coupler components when thelatch is in the open position. Positioning of the land between the legs160, 162 of the upper latch 150 in the open position also assists inmaintaining the vertical alignment of the upper and lower latches 50,150.

To move the latch from the open position shown in FIG. 7 to the closedposition shown in FIG. 1 , a user can pull on the lower latch, such asby engaging the recess 132 to urge the lower latch in a clockwisedirection in FIG. 7 , counter to the bias applied by one or more springsto the lower latch 50 in the direction of arrows 54, 55 in FIGS. 7 and 8.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the undersurface of the lower latch 50indicated at 310, is angled downwardly from front to rear, when thecoupler is in a vertical orientation, and with surfaces 113, 117 inengagement with one another as shown in FIG. 12 . As a result, thesurface 310 assists in guiding a drawbar eye downwardly into the hookportion 14. That is, assuming for example that a truck is backing up,upon engaging the surface 310, the drawbar eye will tend to slidedownwardly along the surface 310 into the opening 18 of the hook portion14.

Referring to the exploded view of FIG. 13 , which omits the housing 30for convenience, the upper latch pin 152 is inserted through the opening204 comprising an opening in leg 162 (not shown in FIG. 13 ), an opening271 in the column 40 and through an opening 273 in the leg 160 of theupper latch 150. The upper latch 150 is desirably biased as explainedabove relative to the column 40 by, for example, a spring engaging theupper latch and the column. For example, a spring 270, such as a coiledor torsion spring, can be positioned within a seat 374 at the left sideof the column 40 and can surround the opening 271. A similar spring 272,which can be a coiled or torsion spring, can be positioned within a seat376 at the right side of the column 40 and can surround the opening 271.One end of spring 270 can engage the seat 374 and the opposite end ofthe spring 270 can engage a seat in upper latch 150 that is like theseat 382 shown in FIG. 19A. In addition, one end of the spring 272 canengage the seat 376 and the opposite end of the spring 272 can engagethe seat 382 of the upper latch 150. The respective springs 270, 272apply a biasing force in the direction of arrows 154 (FIG. 1 ) and 156(FIGS. 2 and 13 ). A snap ring 288, or other fastener, can be used toretain the pin 152 in place when the coupler 10 is assembled.

The safety pin 210 is inserted through an opening through leg 162 (notshown in FIG. 13 ), through an opening 389 through column 40 and throughan opening 390 in leg 160 of the upper latch 150 when the latch is in aclosed position. The pin 210 can have a spring biased detente 391 thatretains the safety pin in place until such time as a ring 392 at theopposite end of the safety pin from the detente is pulled to cause thedetente 391 to retract and allow the removal of the safety pin.

The lower latch pin 52 is inserted through an opening 205 comprising anopening 401 in shoulder 62 of the lower latch 50, an opening 400 in thecolumn 40 and an opening 403 through the leg 60 of the lower latch. Thelower latch 50 is desirably biased as explained above relative to thecolumn 40 by, for example, a spring engaging the lower latch and thecolumn. For example, a spring 402, such as a coiled or torsion spring,can be positioned in a seat 404 of the column 40 with one end of thespring engaging the seat. A spring 406, such as a coiled or torsionspring, can be positioned within a seat 408 of the column at theopposite side of the column from the seat 404. One end of the spring 406can engage the seat 408. The springs 402, 406 are thus positionedbetween the column and the interior surface of the adjacent legs 62, 60.The shoulders 60, 62 are each provided with a respective seat forengaging the opposite end of each spring from the end engaged by therespective column seat. FIG. 18A shows an exemplary spring engagementseat 410 in the shoulder 60 and FIG. 18B shows a spring engagement seat412. The springs 402, 406 bias the lower latch in the directionindicated by arrows 54 and 55 in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

FIG. 14 illustrates a drawbar eye 340 being positioned on the hook 14 ofthe coupler 10. As the drawbar eye 340 is moved toward the coupler, thesurface 310 of the lower latch 50 is engaged by the drawbar eye anddirects the drawbar eye downwardly into the opening 18 of the hookportion 14.

FIG. 15 illustrates the drawbar eye 340 on the hook portion 14 withsurface 21 of the leg section 20 of the hook portion 14 shown positionedabove the illustrated drawbar eye.

FIG. 16 illustrates the coupler 10 in a closed position and with thedrawbar eye 340 pivoted upwardly as permitted by the illustratedconstruction. As previously pointed out, the construction allowspivoting of the drawbar eye upwardly through an angle of, for example,35 degrees from a horizontal plane when the coupler 10 is vertical. FIG.17 illustrates the drawbar eye 340 pivoted in a downward direction whenthe latch 10 is in a closed position. The illustrated coupler allowsdownward pivoting of the drawbar eye, for example 40 degrees from ahorizontal plane when the coupler 10 is in the vertical orientation.These upward and downward pivot angles can be varied but do facilitaterelative movement between the truck and towed trailer, for example, asthe truck hits a bump or crests a hill.

Having illustrated and described the principles of my invention withreference to an exemplary embodiment. The disclosure is not limited tothis embodiment and includes all novel and non-obvious combinations andsub-combinations of elements disclosed herein and related methods. Itshould be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that thedisclosed coupler can be modified in arrangement and detail withoutdeparting from the inventive principles disclosed herein. I claim allsuch variations which fall within the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A towing coupler for a vehicle comprising:a body comprising a hook portion having a hook opening and a latchsupporting portion projecting from the hook portion; a first latchpivoted to the latch supporting portion and pivotal about a first latchpivot axis between first latch open and first latch closed positions,the first latch comprising first and second latch engaging surfaces, thefirst latch engaging surface being spaced further from the first latchpivot axis than the second latch engaging surface, wherein the firstlatch engaging surface comprises first and second first latching surfaceportions with a land positioned at least partially between the first andsecond first latching surface portions, the land being sized andpositioned to engage the latch supporting portion when the first latchis in the first latch open position; a first spring coupled to the bodyand to the first latch and biasing the first latch to pivot about thefirst latch pivot axis in a first direction and away from the firstlatch closed position; a second latch pivoted to the latch supportingportion and pivotal about a second latch pivot axis, the second latchbeing pivotal about the second latch pivot axis between a second latchfirst position and a second latch second position, wherein in the secondlatch first position and with the first latch in the first latch openposition, the second latch is coupled at least partially to the firstlatch engaging surface, and wherein in the second latch second positionand with the first latch in the first latch closed position, the secondlatch is coupled at least partially to the second latch engagingsurface; and a second spring coupled to the body and to the second latchand biasing the second latch to pivot about the second latch pivot axisin a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second springpivoting the second latch to the second latch second position uponpivoting of the first latch from the first latch open position towardthe first latch closed position.
 2. A towing coupler for a vehicleaccording to claim 1 wherein the first latch engaging surface comprisesa concave first latch engaging surface portion facing away from the hookportion, wherein the second latch engaging surface comprises a concavesecond latch engaging surface portion facing away from the hook portion.3. A towing coupler for a vehicle according to claim 2 wherein theradius of curvature of the concave second latch engaging surface portionis smaller than the radius of curvature of the concave first latchengaging surface portion.
 4. A towing coupler according to claim 2wherein the second latch comprises third and fourth latch engagingsurfaces facing opposite the first and second latch engaging surfaces,wherein the third and fourth latch engaging surfaces are positioned toat least partially engage the first latch engaging surface when thefirst latch is in the first latch open position and the second latch isin the second latch first position, and wherein the fourth latchengaging surface is positioned to at least partially engage the secondlatch engaging surface when the first latch is in the first latch closedposition and the second latch is in the second latch second position. 5.A towing coupler according to claim 1 wherein the second latch engagingsurface comprises first and second spaced apart second latching surfaceportions and wherein a portion of the latch supporting portion ispositioned between the first and second spaced apart latching surfaceportions.
 6. A towing coupler according to claim 1 wherein each of thefirst and second first latching surface portions comprise concavesurfaces and each of the first and second spaced apart second latchingsurface portions comprise concave surfaces.
 7. A towing coupleraccording to claim 6 wherein the radius of curvature of each of thefirst and second spaced apart second latching surface portions issmaller than the radius of curvature of each of the first and secondfirst latching surface portions.
 8. A towing coupler according to claim1 wherein the second latch comprises third and fourth latch engagingportions, the third latch engaging portion comprising first and secondspaced apart third latching surface portions and the fourth latchengaging portion comprising first and second spaced apart fourthlatching surface portions, and wherein the land is positioned betweenthe first and second spaced apart fourth latching surface portions atleast when the first latch is in the first latch open position.
 9. Atowing coupler according to claim 8 wherein each of the first and secondfirst latching surface portions and first and second spaced apart secondlatching surface portions are concave, and wherein the first and secondspaced apart third latching surface portions and the first and secondspaced apart fourth latching surface portions are convex.
 10. A towingcoupler according to claim 9 wherein the radius of curvature of each ofthe first and second spaced apart second latching surface portions issmaller than the radius of curvature of each of the first and secondfirst latching surface portions.
 11. A towing coupler according to claim1 wherein the second latch pivot axis is parallel to the first latchpivot axis, and wherein the second latch pivot axis is positioned higheron the latch supporting portion than the first latch pivot axis.
 12. Atowing coupler for a vehicle comprising: a body comprising a hook havinga first leg portion, a base portion and a second leg portion spaced fromthe first leg portion so as to define a tow draw bar receiving spaceabove the base portion and between the first and second leg portions,the hook having a hook opening communicating with the tow draw barreceiving space, the body also comprising a latch supporting columnportion projecting from the second leg portion; a first latch comprisinga first latch proximal end portion and a first latch distal end portion,the first latch proximal end portion being pivoted to the column portionand pivotal about a first latch pivot axis, the first latch beingpivotal between a first latch closed position and a first latch openposition, wherein in the first latch closed position the first latchoverlies the hook opening and the first latch distal end portion engagesthe first leg portion of the hook and closes the hook opening, andwherein in the first latch open position the first latch distal endportion is pivoted away from the first leg portion of the hook to openthe hook opening to provide access to the tow draw bar receiving space;the first latch comprising first and second latch engaging surfaces, thefirst latch engaging surface being spaced nearer to the first latchdistal end portion than the second latch engaging surface, and wherein aridge is provided between the first and second latch engaging surfaceswith the first and second latch engaging surfaces having respectivesurface portions that slope away from the ridge; a first spring coupledto the body and to the proximal end portion of the first latch andbiasing the first latch to pivot about the first latch pivot axis in afirst direction and away from the first latch closed position and towardthe first latch open position; a second latch pivoted to the columnportion and pivotal about a second latch pivot axis, the second latchbeing pivotal about the second latch pivot axis between a second latchfirst position and a second latch second position; the second latchcomprising third and fourth latch engaging surfaces, wherein with thesecond latch in the second latch first position and the with the firstlatch in the first latch open position, both of the third and fourthlatching surfaces are positioned to at least partially abut the firstlatch engaging surface, and wherein in the second latch second positionand with the first latch in the first latch closed position, the thirdlatch engaging surface is positioned to at least partially abut thesecond latch engaging surface; and a second spring coupled to the bodyand to the second latch and biasing the second latch to pivot about thesecond latch pivot axis in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection, the second spring and pivoting the second latch to the secondlatch second position upon pivoting of the first latch from the firstlatch open position in a direction toward the first latch closedposition.
 13. A towing coupler for a vehicle according to claim 12wherein at least a portion of the first latch engaging surface comprisesa concave first latch engaging surface facing away from the hook, theconcave first latch engaging surface comprising first and seconddiverging sloped surface portions, the first sloped surface portionbeing positioned nearer to the distal end of the first latch than thesecond sloped surface portion; wherein at least a portion of each of thethird and fourth latch engaging surfaces comprise a convex latchengaging surface; wherein the third latch engaging surface is positionedto at least partially abut the first sloped portion and the fourth latchengaging surface is positioned to at least partially abut the secondsloped surface portion when the first latch is in the first latch openposition and the second latch is in the second latch first position, andwherein the fourth latch engaging surface is positioned to engage thesecond latch engaging surface when the first latch is in the first latchclosed position and the second latch is in the second latch secondposition.
 14. A towing coupler according to claim 12 wherein the firstlatch engaging surface comprises first and second first latching surfaceportions with a land positioned at least partially between the first andsecond first latching surface portions, the land being sized andpositioned to engage the column portion when the first latch is in thefirst latch open position; wherein the second latch engaging surfacecomprises first and second spaced apart second latching surface portionsand wherein a portion of the column portion is positioned between thefirst and second spaced apart second latching surface portions.
 15. Atowing coupler according to claim 14 wherein each of the first andsecond first latching surface portions and first and second spaced apartsecond latching surface portions comprise concave surfaces.
 16. A towingcoupler according to claim 15 wherein the radius of curvature of theconcave surfaces comprising the first and second spaced apart secondlatching surface portions is smaller than the radius of curvature of theconcave surfaces comprising the first and second first latching surfaceportions.
 17. A towing coupler according to claim 14 wherein the thirdlatch engaging surface comprises first and second spaced apart thirdlatching surfaces and the fourth latch engaging surface comprises firstand second spaced apart fourth latching surfaces, and wherein the landis positioned at least partially between the first and second spacedapart fourth latching surfaces at least when the first latch is in thefirst latch open position.
 18. A towing coupler according to claim 12wherein the second latch pivot axis is parallel to the first latch pivotaxis, and wherein the second latch pivot axis being positioned higher onthe column portion than the first latch pivot axis.